Lack of Trade Unions in the USA

[Huckleberry Finn]

I found this interesting article about blue-collar salaries in the USA.

A quote from it:

“Unionized workers in blue-collar occupations averaged $18.88 per hour, compared with $12.95 for nonunion blue-collar workers.”

http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/jobsemployment/a/unionwages.htm

First: I admit that I know very little about the labour issue in the United States. That’s why I wanted to raise a discussion about it in our fine forum. What I know about USA situation is that many low income workers have to work at two or even three jobs. Right? If you have to get two jobs, your wage is not obviously enough for living.

On the other hand, I can find few explanations about the salary difference between nonunion workers and unionized workers.

1) Most of the union workers live in fairly rich states.
2) Union workers work in businesses where productivity is  quite high.

But after all most important issue is: I believe that unions can ensure better wages than individual employee alone.

Again. I know very little how these things goes in the USA, but I know how they goes in Finland. Here blue collar employee works 8 hours in day and get decent salary. (enough for good living) There is no need for two jobs. And why? Simple answer: because of trade unions.

How about our competitiveness? Is best in the world:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3225223.stm
 
Of course we have similar problems as other  industrialized  countries. Jobs are going to overseas. And that is why I agree with conservative Finnish  politicians who claim that there is need to decrease regulation of the labour market. Yes a little bit, but I still believe that trade unions have positive effect to society.

My perspective on union issue might sounds leftist from American perspective. And I know that there is long history of corrupt unions in the USA. In my county there is different story. After WWII moderate social democrat trade unions played remarkable role in the fight against commies. And in Finland most white collar trade unions are ruled by conservatives! (most white collars in Finland are member of unions)

Trade unions aren’t socialism. They are part of the market economy.

[Huckleberry Finn]

I'm divided on this. I used to be in favour of unions until the firefighters strike in the UK in 2002/03. The union led by a left-wing extremist called Andy Gilchrist was demanding a 40% pay rise!!!!! This was totally unreasonable in my opinion, and the strike action just put lives in peril. My view of unions took a real dive after that event, it was quite disgusting.

I think moderate unions are fine, unions led by anarchists are not.

How about unions led by conservatives?